Lots of people have used the lockdown to clear out their houses and gardens, but not everyone is being responsible with their waste and unwanted items.

There have been reports of people dumping old furniture up Gumfield Drive in Warkworth, and two trailer loads of garden waste at the end of Anne Burton Drive. Unfortunately, Warkworth doesn't seem to be the only place experiencing a spat of waste dumping. A cemetery in Birkenhead was recently the site of someone dumping chairs, a lawnmower, shoes and televisions, which understandably caused public outrage.

Charity shops and the Auckland Council are appealing to the public to hold onto any items until after lockdown, rather than illegally dumping them.

Rather than dumping it or adding it to general waste to go to landfill, Mahurangi Wastebusters are asking people to do the same with any excess recycling they may be generating during this time. Mahurangi Wastebusters have been closed for the duration of lockdown, and are yet to announce when they will be able to start up business again.

“People who believe in what we are doing can save as much of their plastic, glass, cardboard, paper, metal and wood waste as they want to bring to us. It would be great if that didn’t go into the bin.” Says Mahurangi Wastebusters Chair, Simon Barclay.

If you do see people illegally dumping materials, it can be reported to [email protected]